Jurgen Klopp has made thoughts perfectly clear about Arne Slot's first match at Liverpool

Jurgen Klopp wouldn’t be a happy bunny if he were in Arne Slot’s shoes right now. Liverpool’s new era officially gets underway on Saturday, with Slot’s Reds taking on newly-promoted Ipswich Town at Portman Road.

It marks Liverpool’s first Premier League match without Klopp in the dugout since October 2015, and it’s just as well given that it kicks off at 12.30pm. Klopp, 57, was never one to hide his feelings, and infamously detested being handed the early kick-off slot.

Over the years, he slammed both the Premier League and its associated broadcasters for frequently straddling Liverpool with the awkward fixture. And in fairness, he may have had a point.

During Klopp’s eight-and-a-half year stint at Anfield, 13.6% (45 in total) of Liverpool’s league matches took place on Saturday at 12.30pm – more than any other team. And it’s fair to suggest that the slot took something on a toll of his players given that their win percentage in the early kick-off was 49%, down from 63% overall under Klopp.

The former Liverpool manager said he felt the welfare of his players, who throughout his tenure would often be travelling home from European fixtures two or three days beforehand, was being dismissed. He even once claimed that “in the whole world we have the quickest turnaround between games”.

Last season, Klopp also suggested the poor planning was causing English to suffer in Europe, fuming: “In general I think it’s a really interesting subject. Aston Villa lost 4-2 last night for example – [it] would mean if they go out no English team will be in any kind of European final,” he said. “I watch a lot of football. The Premier League is the best league in the world so it’s not overrated, the players are over-worked.”

Naturally, Slot was pressed for his thoughts after Liverpool’s opening match was confirmed in the infamous time-slot. However, the Dutchman didn’t seem to share his predecessor’s outrage on the matter.

“They’ve told me it’s going to be 12.30… from what I know, Jurgen complained a lot about this so probably they thought, with Jurgen being out let’s put them at 12.30 again,” the 45-year-old quipped. “No, it’s different to a normal 12.30 because it’s not after a game in Europe.

He added: “I’m looking forward to it. A promoted team [Ipswich] so it’s going to be special for them as well. I think every team might prefer a home game to start with, but we’re going to face Ipswich and we are looking forward to that.”

Liverpool are yet to make a signing this summer, though came close to sealing a deal for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi this month. The £51million move fell through at the 11th hour after Zubimendi opted to stay at his boyhood club.

It’s understood the Reds still want to bring in two or three players before the window shuts, with a midfielder and a forward high on their wishlist. They’re also reportedly in talks to sign Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, though the Georgian is expected to be loaned out immediately if the deal goes through.